Knight and four Democrats will face off in the primary, with the top two vote-getters regardless of party advancing to the Nov. 6 general election for a chance to a represent a district that runs from Lancaster to Simi Valley. Analysts consider the incumbent a favorite to advance and predict a close race for the second spot.

“Some of the things we're doing, President Trump is not happy with.”

U.S. Rep. Steve Knight

The race features Bryan Caforio, a consumer rights lawyer defeated by Knight two years ago while collecting about 47 percent of the vote. Political newcomer Katie Hill, 30, has gained attention by raising more money than any other Democrat.

Volcanologist Jess Phoenix focuses on climate change and a need for leadership that leans on science. Former Oak Park Unified School District board member Mary Pallant emphasizes her understanding of government and public service.

While Caforio boasts of endorsements from an array of unions and Hill points to groups like the Planned Parenthood Action Fund, Allison noted that the California Democratic Party isn’t endorsing anyone. None of the candidates met the threshold of 60 percent of delegate votes with Caforio falling about seven points shy.

In a phone interview after a morning session of Congress, Knight said he’s unfazed by the national attention the race is attracting and speculation about his vulnerability.

“That’s the exact same thing I heard last race,” said the former Los Angeles Police Department officer who was elected to Congress in 2014 by a 53 to 47 percent margin and won by the same spread two years ago. “That’s all we know. We’re always in a race. It’s always close.”

“It means anyone has a shot at it.”

Tim Allison, science professor at CSU Channel Islands

Opponents cite Knight’s alignment with Trump’s positions on health care, the budget and foreign policy, citing an analysis suggesting the incumbent sides with the White House on more than 98 percent of the votes.

Knight praised Trump’s leadership on defense issues and negotiations with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un. He said he opposed the president, citing his decision to sign a petition to force a House vote on immigration bills.

“Some of the things we’re doing, President Trump is not happy with,” he said.

If the election turns into a referendum, the target may not end up on the president, Knight said. He cited reaction to California’s gas tax and the Legislature’s decision to proclaim the state an immigration sanctuary, suggesting frustration could affect votes.

“Voters are smart,” he said, suggesting the economy will play a major role. “They look at their pocketbook. They look at how their family is being treated. They look at what’s going on abroad.”

Trump’s victory in the 2016 presidential election threw Caforio into a funk that lingered until he stood with hundreds of thousands of protesters on the streets of Los Angeles in a women’s march held the day after inauguration.

Bryan Caforio(Photo11: CONTRIBUTED PHOTO)

Uplifted by the protest, the consumer rights lawyer decided to run again as a way to hold Trump accountable on issues such as health care, gun control, environmental protection and the need for debt-free higher education.

“I think the elephant in the room constantly is the president. You can’t ignore him,” said Caforio. He labeled Knight a “Trump enabler,” citing the congressman’s votes supporting unsuccessful attempts to repeal the Affordable Care Act and replace it with a system nicknamed Trumpcare.

“I think we need ‘Medicare for All,’” Caforio said, suggesting the system would make health care accessible for everyone. “We need to be able to move in that direction and Steve Knight is a roadblock there.”

Caforio said health care is a major line of separation between him and Democratic candidate Hill. He cited his support for HR 676, a bill that would create a single-payer health care system.

Hill said she supports universal health care but worries the House proposal tries to make the transition too quickly.

Katie Hill(Photo11: CONTRIBUTED PHOTO)

“I am for Medicare for All but it’s how we get there,” she said, suggesting the policy differences among all Democrat opponents are minimal and that differences emerge clearly in their manner of approach.

Hill serves as executive director of the nonprofit People Assisting the Homeless and grew up in the district she wants to lead. She is the youngest candidate in the race and has stamped a millennial thumbprint on her campaign.

She agreed to participate in an HBO special called “She’s Running” that offered an unvarnished, behind-the-scenes look at the campaign. She said she rejects the careful campaign management style triggered by fear of making unforced errors.

“To me, that leads to people not being genuine and just sticking to the talking points,” she said. “I would rather make mistakes and let people see the mistakes and own them rather than play it safe.”

Knight, Caforio and Hill attract much of the attention, but Allison considers Jess Phoenix a possible X factor. She’s 36, has worked as a scientist on six continents and ran because Knight’s voting record made him seem vulnerable.

“I thought the time was right for science to have more of a voice,” said Phoenix, a former Simi Valley resident who now lives in Acton with her husband and their 10 rescue animals.

She contends Knight, Trump and others don’t understand that climate change can jeopardize national security as a threat multiplier. It can drive terrorism and immigration as lakes dry up in some regions and water levels rise in others.

Jess Phoenix(Photo11: CONTRIBUTED PHOTO)

“I think it’s all connected,” she said. “Everything in our society functions as a type of a system.”

Phoenix advocates building green technology in the district in an effort to transform the area’s commuter communities into a global hub. She wants to attract a California state university as well as a VA hospital.

Mary Pallant, 57, lives in Oak Park and is the only Ventura County resident in the race. She ran unsuccessfully for Congress in 2008 and later served four years on the Oak Park Unified School District board. She represented the California Democratic Party as a delegate for four years and served on boards including the Ventura County Commission for Women.

Mary Pallant(Photo11: CONTRIBUTED PHOTO)

“I am the only candidate with prior political, public services and elected experience,” she said. “Running for Congress is a calling to serve the public. It’s not about being a rock star or a celebrity“

A supporter of Medicare for All, public education and rebuilding crumbling roads and water systems, she decided to run after Trump’s election.

Age: 57City of residence: Oak ParkOccupation: small business owner Education: Attended Patrick Henry High School, San Diego; associate’s degree from Los Angeles Valley College; bachelor’s and master’s, Antioch University Los AngelesYears in office: Oak Park Unified School Board, 2010-2014; Elected California Democratic Party delegate 2005-2009; commissioner on Ventura County Commission for Women, 2004-2009Family: Married with two children, two pugs and two adopted catsMilitary service: NoCriminal convictions, bankruptcies or pleas: NoWebsite/social media:MaryPallantforCongress.com; https://twitter.com/Mary4Congress; Facebook, Mary Pallant for US House of Representatives CA25